Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1
Principles of sustainability
Foundation principles
Long-term economic health
Sustainability recognises the needs of current and future generations for long-term
economic health, innovation, diversity and productivity of the earth.
Equity and human rights
Sustainability recognises that an environment needs to be created where all people can
express their full potential and lead productive lives and that significant gaps in
sufficiency, safety, and opportunity endanger the earth.
Biodiversity and ecological integrity
Sustainability recognises that all life has intrinsic value, is interconnected and that
biodiversity and ecological integrity are part of the irreplaceable life support systems
upon which the Earth depends.
Settlement efficiency and quality of life
Sustainability recognises that settlements need to reduce their ecological footprint (that
is less material and energy demands and a reduction in waste), while they
simultaneously improve their quality of life (health, housing, employment, community,
and so on).
Community, regions, 'sense of place' and heritage
Sustainability recognises the significance and diversity of community and regions for
the management of the earth, and the critical importance of 'sense of place' and heritage
(buildings, townscapes, landscapes and culture) in any plans for the future.
Net benefit from development
Sustainability means that all development, and particularly development involving
extraction of non-renewable resources, should strive to provide net environmental,
social and economic benefit for future generations.
Common good from planning
Sustainability recognises that planning for the common good requires equitable
distribution of public resources (like air, water and open space) so that ecosystem
functions are maintained and so that a shared resource is available to all.
Process principles
Integration of the triple bottom line
Sustainability requires that economic, social and environmental factors be integrated by
simultaneous application of these principles, seeking mutually supportive benefits with
minimal trade-offs.
Accountability, transparency and engagement
Sustainability recognises that people should have access to information on sustainability
issues, that institutions should have triple bottom line accountability, that regular
sustainability audits of programs and policies should be conducted, and that public
engagement lies at the heart of all sustainability principles.
